Pubdate: Wed, 26 Mar 2008
Source: Burlington Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Burlington Post
Contact:  http://www.burlingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1528
Author: Melanie Hennessey
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ALCOHOL SUBSTANCE OF CHOICE FOR TEENS

High School Students Tell Regional Committee About The Realities Of 
Drug Use In Halton

Alcohol and marijuana are the most common substances being used by 
Halton teens, according to local students.

A group of high school pupils from both north and south Halton told 
the region's health and social services committee recently about the 
realities of teen drug use.

Oakville Grade 12 student Kayla Bulatovich said even though there are 
a lot of drugs available, alcohol and marijuana are the biggest 
problems in local schools.

"Binge drinking is a normal thing for kids," she said. "We need to 
reduce the risks associated with drinking by educating youth about 
safe partying." She noted there are also a lot of myths about 
marijuana, including it's not addictive or harmful.

"Students are making decisions based on misinformation," she told the 
committee.

Bulatovich believes that painkillers are becoming a new trend in 
student drug use, while other drugs like Ecstasy, Ketamine and 
cocaine continue to be a concern.

Fellow Grade 12 Oakville student Lindsay Boyce spoke about how easy 
it is for Halton youths to obtain drugs.

"Kids in Halton have lots of money from part-time jobs or parents," 
she said. "And drugs aren't that expensive. A joint is $5, a tab of E 
(Ecstasy) is $5, and if you buy more from a dealer the price comes down."

She also suggested some youths are getting drugs at home from their 
parents or siblings.

Teens are turning to drugs for a variety of reasons, said Grade 12 
Oakville student Bianca Nagy, including for fun, to fit in with a 
certain group, become more confident and because they don't think 
anything bad will happen.

"They don't know the consequences or the long-term effects," she 
said. So what's the answer to help steer youths away from drugs?

Grade 11 Georgetown student Marc Stiel said schools need to find ways 
to keep youth involved, while parents need to strike a balance 
between being strict and accepting.

Region staff presented a report to the committee with results from 
the 2007 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey and the previously released 
results from the 2006 Halton Youth Survey.

The report backed up the information presented by the students -- 
that alcohol continues to be the substance of choice for most 
students in Grades 7 to 12, followed by cannabis.

The Ontario survey also revealed that there's been a decrease in the 
use of cigarettes, methamphetamine, crack and steroids across the province.

The committee received the report for information purposes.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom